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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    New Diplomatic Opportunities for Syria and Iran

    President Obama's threat to bomb Syria for its use of chemical weapons was, in part, a warning to Iran about its nuclear program. It also helped reassure Israel about US willingness to use force in the Middle East. Now, just two weeks later and with the UN about to open a new session tomorrow, it's all about diplomacy.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    President Obama's threat to bomb Syria for its use of chemical weapons was, in part, a warning to Iran about its nuclear program. It also helped reassure Israel about US willingness to use force in the Middle East. Now, just two weeks later and with the UN about to open a new session tomorrow, it's all about diplomacy. We hear about possible benefits and potential risks involving Syria, Iran and the alliance with Israel — with President Obama's foreign policy legacy on the line.

    The full episode

    2 of 2
    Somali Terrorists Attack a Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya
    1. 0:00Civilian Shoppers and the Bloodbath in Kenya
    2. 24:29New Diplomatic Opportunities for Syria and IranYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Dennis Ross

      Washington Institute for Near East Policy

    • KCRW placeholder

      Golnaz Esfandiari

      Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

    • KCRW placeholder

      Marc Lynch

      George Washington University

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 2
    Somali Terrorists Attack a Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya
    1. 0:00Civilian Shoppers and the Bloodbath in Kenya
    2. 24:29New Diplomatic Opportunities for Syria and IranYou’re reading this
    Back to To the Point